Pubdate: Fri, 15 Feb 2008
Source: Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH)
Copyright: 2008 Times Recorder
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/b4KEE6vQ
Website: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2740
Author: Kathy Thompson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?246 (Policing - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

PLEA DEALS OF FORMER ZANESVILLE LAWMEN REVEALED

COLUMBUS - Two former officers have agreed to testify against a third 
officer who is facing federal drug charges.

Former Zanesville Police Officer Trevor Fusner and Genesis HealthCare 
Systems Police Officer Chad Mills have reached plea deals with the 
federal government, which will result in at least 10 years in prison 
for the pair. The two will testify against former ZPD officer Sean 
Beck, who is still facing charges, and any other law enforcement 
officials who are engaging in illegal activities, according to the 
plea agreement.

The details of the plea agreements were released Thursday. Mills and 
Fusner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 
cocaine and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Both were arrested along with Beck on Oct. 1, 2007, by agents with 
the FBI and Muskingum County Sheriff's Office deputies and charged 
with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Fred Alverson, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in 
Columbus, said the pair are facing a mandatory five years for the 
conspiracy charge and a mandatory sentence of five years for the 
weapons charge. The pair could face up to 40 years in prison and each 
would be fined $2 million, according to court papers.

They will additionally face up to five years supervised release and 
fines for the conspiracy charge, and three years supervised release 
and fines for the weapons charge.

A presentence investigation has been ordered although no sentencing 
date has been set. The presentence investigation report has been 
ordered to be sent to the court by Feb. 25.

Zanesville Police Chief Eric Lambes said it is "the best outcome for everyone."

"This allows the community to move beyond the unfortunate incident," 
Lambes said. "If we're lucky the remaining person, meaning Beck, will 
do likewise."

The timeline outlined in the Statement of Facts released by the U.S. 
Attorney's Office include:

August 2007: A confidential witness went to the sheriff's office and 
the FBI reporting that Beck demanded and received money from the 
witness in exchange for Beck not reporting the witness' drug activity.

Aug. 22: The witness, an admitted drug dealer, began to work as an 
undercover agent for the agencies and was able to record Beck on 
numerous occasions discussing illegal activity.

Aug. 30: Beck contacted the witness to arrange a meeting where a plan 
was discussed to set up an illegal drug shipment of a kilo of cocaine 
to Zanesville so Beck could steal it.

Sept. 24: The witness told Beck he would have a supplier deliver the 
kilo and that Beck had to meet the supplier in Columbus and give him 
$2,500 in advance. Beck told the witness he would have Mills drive 
the witness to Columbus. Beck then got Mills and Fusner to assist him 
in his plan to steal the drugs.

Sept. 25: Mills drove the witness to Columbus to meet with the 
supplier. Mills dropped the witness off at a hotel in Columbus and 
waited in the car while the witness gave the FBI the money.

Beck, Mills, Fusner and the witness then met at the Mount Calvary 
Cemetery where they planned the "raid." Fusner, Mills and Beck were 
all armed at the time.

During the meeting, Beck told Fusner to hide behind a tree on the 
hillside were he would be able to see the drug transaction and when 
the supplier gave the cocaine to the witness, Fusner would signal 
Beck and Mills, who were waiting on the road.

Beck would then drive his car into the meeting, block in the 
supplier's car and Beck, Fusner and Mills would draw their weapons 
and remove the witness and the supplier.

Once the cocaine was seized, Beck would tell the witness and supplier 
to leave town.

Beck was indicted on two counts of drug trafficking in Percocet, 
three counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a drug 
trafficking crime and one count of conspiracy to traffic drugs. He 
remains at the Franklin County Jail until his trial.

Beck has entered not guilty pleas to six federal drug charges and is 
scheduled to go to trial next month. 
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